For years, Evergreen Park’s Grace Kole resisted when it comes to basketball.

Because she’s tall, Kole was asked to play many times but turned down the opportunities.

“I did dance and swim,” she said. “But I wasn’t interested in basketball.”

As a freshman, however, she was talked into joining the team by Chris Burras, the Mustangs’ junior varsity coach. And she finally agreed to try it out.

“He said they needed me,” Kole said of Burras. “I gave in. I didn’t know anyone here and he got me out there. I realized basketball would be a good sport for me.

“I’m not going to lie, in my first year, it started out tough. But as the season progressed, I got better, and by the end of my freshman year, I got pulled up on varsity. That was really nice.”

Evergreen Park’s Grace Kole (15) grabs a rebound as Illinois Math & Science Academy’s Kate Honchar (22) defends during a nonconference game in Evergreen Park on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Kole had a really nice night Monday, chalking up seven points, seven rebounds and two steals for host Evergreen Park in a 57-13 nonconference win over Illinois Math and Science Academy.

Tatum Harris scored the game’s first nine points and finished with 14 for the Mustangs (4-3), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Shannon Farrell added 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Ella Throndson tallied nine points. Jordin Pittman grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.

For the past three seasons, Kole has been a mainstay for the Mustangs. The 6-foot-1 senior forward has become a scoring and rebounding threat. And she’s also doing well off the court.

At the end of November, she was one of 25 students from Evergreen Park to be recognized as an Illinois State Scholar. Last week, she was announced as one of the school’s 59 inductees for National Honor Society.

Evergreen Park’s Grace Kole (15) goes up for a shot against Illinois Math & Science Academy during a nonconference game in Evergreen Park on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Kole’s transfers that intelligence from the classroom to the basketball court, which showed in the easy win over IMSA (1-6).

“Grace has been a real joy to be around,” said George Shimko, who is in his second season as the Mustangs’ coach. “She tries really, really hard and she’s working more and more on her game.

“And she’s a really good teammate. Very rarely do negative things come out of her mouth. Her body language can be a little interesting but it’s because she cares.”

Shimko was happy to have a player with size and talent when he take over the program. He also believes that she’s a candidate to play basketball in college.

Evergreen Park’s Grace Kole (15) heads toward the basket for a shot against Illinois Math & Science Academy during a nonconference game in Evergreen Park on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Kole, though, isn’t exactly sure where her future lies. She wants to become a dentist.

“I would love to play basketball if I could, but I’m leaning toward academics,” she said. “If I could get an offer and any colleges want to look at me for basketball, I would be pleased to do that.

“But now it’s really academics.”

Kole plans on majoring in biochemistry. She originally wanted to be a lawyer but changed her mind after being inspired by All Family Dental and Braces in Chicago, where she had her braces done.

“I got really familiar with those dentists and that made me interested in dentistry,” she said. “I know what I can do and I feel like I can really get there.”

Evergreen Park’s Grace Kole (15) pulls up for a shot against Illinois Math & Science Academy during a nonconference game in Evergreen Park on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

On top of that, she routinely puts bright smiles on the faces of her teammates.

“Grace brings a lot of rebounding and kickouts when we need them,” Harris said. “She’s great under the rim. If she can get the ball more, that would be great because she’s an overall good player.”

Kole also appreciated having Burras convince her to play basketball. She has grown to love it.

“I like having my teammates on the court,” she said. “I always have fun with them.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/grace-kole-evergreen-park-imsa-ihsa-girls-basketball/